The front-page story reminded us that those mainly white-collar jobs are fleeing the Deerfield area, some for another state, some for Chicago’s downtown. Wherever they go, they aren’t coming back here.

As of now, state and local economic development folks don’t have anybody lined up to take their places. But, it’s time they start paying attention to what’s happening in Illinois. Instead, they are buoyed by dreams of feelers put out by unnamed firms who, they contend, are interested in taking over the immense Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. complex at the Tri-State Tollway and Lake Cook Road.

Takeda will depart the area by the end of the year, taking its 1,000 positions to the Boston area. Walgreens and Mondelez International are moving 1,300 and 400 jobs, respectively, to Chicago’s core, following other national and international firms once headquartered in sunny suburban locales.

Those CEOs who pushed moving to the big city may regret those decisions in coming years, as Chicago officials seem to be more and more interested in helping workers get higher salaries, guaranteeing solid work schedules and seeking never-ending tax monies to shore up a government flailing to stay afloat. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has admitted Chicago’s debt is higher than she thought it was when she was easily being elected in April.

The job losses aren’t entirely Lake County’s fault — they reflect a combination of market forces and a big-wig’s whim — but corporate suits get nervous when a state’s business climate is cold as a polar vortex, even during our subtropical summer. Illinois, once a magnet for business ventures, is being left behind by other states which have more to offer: Less taxation, regulations and, ironically, more space to grow.

The Chicago Tribune had a story earlier this week in which a growing conveyor manufacturer decided to consolidate locations in the Cook County suburbs of Elk Grove and Oak Lawn to Indiana. That is an exodus of another 250 jobs — and some 200 Illinois taxpayers — from the Land of Lincoln.

The Wynright Corp. received nearly $6 million in relocation incentives and job training grants to move to Hobart, Ind., just over the state line in the Hoosier State. Just as Wisconsin has, Indiana is cherry-picking Illinois concerns.

In the meantime, our state has been swapping jobs with suburban companies moving to Chicago. Illinois Gov J.B. Pritzker’s answer to out-of-state competition is to raise the gasoline tax, approve more gaming casinos and legalize marijuana.

Faced with looming higher minimum wages, many mom-and-pop operations and restaurants are opting to cut their labor costs, i.e., laying off workers. Larger fast-food operations are adopting self-serve kiosks where orders go directly to the kitchen and bypass order takers. Can a rebirth of the old automats be far behind?

As the jobs ooze from Lake County, so will those who live and work here. The county’s office vacancy rate is nearly 25 percent, second highest in the region. That’s not a good sign.

Nor is the hit nearby restaurants, bars, hotels and mini-marts will feel after losing some 3,000 potential customers who used to work at the bolting firms. Putting on a happy face is one thing until the doleful reality of lost business becomes a sink hole.

Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor.